AI chatbots rival doctors for back pain advice, study finds
A new study reveals that artificial intelligence chatbots, such as ChatGPT, may be almost as effective as consulting a doctor for advice on low back pain.
Low back pain affects millions globally, often prompting sufferers to seek information online. Photo: SKT Studio/Adobe Stock.
Conducted by an international team, the research sheds light on the potential of AI in addressing one of the world's leading causes of disability.
Associate Professor Bruno Tirotti Saragiotto, research co-author and Head of Physiotherapy at The University of Technology Sydney (UTS), said the study intended to evaluate how effectively AI chatbots like ChatGPT answer common questions posed by individuals experiencing low back pain.
The study, Assessing the performance of AI chatbots in answering patients’ common questions about low back pain, was recently published in the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
Low back pain affects millions globally, often prompting sufferers to seek information online.
As AI-powered chatbots become increasingly common in offering health recommendations, understanding the accuracy of their recommendations is important.
“The findings show that AI chatbots can offer advice with accuracy levels comparable to those reported by healthcare professionals in Australia,” said Associate Professor Saragiotto.
The research found that AI chatbots excelled in answering questions related to suggested treatment and self-management, while risk factors had the most inaccuracies.
You can read the full article here: AI chatbots rival doctors for back pain advice, study finds.
